This man abused a pub owner then spat in his face

A TOOWOOMBA man was sentenced to six months jail for causing havoc at two separate pubs.

Damian Michael Sharpley appeared by prison video link to plead guilty to public nuisance, drunk and disorderly, wilful damage and common assault.

Police Prosecutor Julia Wheaton said on June 18 at 12.15am Sharpley was at the designated smoking area of DeLacy's Hotel where he threw a glass which smashed and caused cuts to a woman's face.

Sharpley then got into fight with another man that escalated from the smoking section to the bar and then the carpark.

When police arrived, the men took off on foot but were later arrested for public nuisance.

The female victim did not make an assault complaint.

Two months later on August 17 at 5.30pm, staff at the Fiveways Hotel saw Mr Sharpley by himself crying.

He started throwing drinking glasses and when asked to leave threw a stool at a window, breaking glass.

Outside the venue on West St, Sharpley abused the hotel owner, shouting "Come on you ****, I'll have you piece of sh**."

He then spat in the owner's face and was restrained by a staff member until police arrived.

Defence lawyer Peter Sloane said Sharpley had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and depression and was deeply remorseful about his actions.

Mr Sloane told the court Sharpley had been in rehab about two years ago.

He said alcohol was a major part of the defendant's life and he had been on and off medication.

Mr Sloane said the defendant admitted he acted inappropriately and was "disgusted" by the spitting offence. He was particularly disturbed by assaulting a woman at DeLacy's Hotel, saying he "wasn't brought up that way" but had reacted to a racial remark.

Acting Magistrate Roger Stark acknowledged evidence that Sharpley had been seen crying at Fiveways Hotel but did not excuse it for his behaviour.

Mr Stark declared 58 days pre-sentence custody as time served and placed Sharpley on 12 months probation.